USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > East Liberty Presbyterian Church : with historical setting & a narrative of the centennial celebration, April 12-20, 1919 > Part 12
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The John R. McKelvy Westminster Circle is another flourishing missionary group, which was started in the fall of 1914 by Miss Eleanor Ayers, and was composed of the mem- bers of her Sunday School class. Miss Elizabeth Lyle is presi- dent.
The Women's League is one of the most comprehensive organizations in the church. It was born of a desire to bring every member into closer fellowship in the work of the church. The plan is to divide the parish into sections, with a captain over each section. Each captain is supposed to keep in touch with all the church families in her section. There are eighteen of these sections and eighteen captains. Mrs. Wm. M. Mc-
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Kelvy is president, with the following vice-presidents: Mrs. Albert Duckham, Mrs. J. M. Pardee, Mrs. Will McLain. Mrs. Charles M. Corbit is secretary and treasurer.
The Cheerful Givers was organized April, 1909, and Mrs. J. R. Paull has from the first been the leader. Miss Sarah C. Mellon is now president of this young and vigorous society.
One of the most successful and profitable missionary enter- prises of the church is yet to be mentioned. I refer to the work at Cebu, Philippine Islands. This station was taken up by the church in 1904, and it has been a source of joy and inspira- tion ever since. Pentecostal blessings seemed to descend on this work from the beginning. The first missionaries on the field were the Rev. and Mrs. Frederick Jansen, Dr. and Mrs. Graham soon following, then a little later went the Rev. George D. Dunlap and Mrs. Dunlap, who are now in charge of the work. Since its founding, the work has extended until now there are many stations and sub-stations. We have been especially fortunate in our helpers there.
During the present pastorate there have been received into the church 1,741 members, which is a fraction over one hun- dred members per year. There has been contributed for all purposes, through church channels, $959,244.97, which is at the rate of over $56,000 per year.
But I feel that it would be unfair to consider these results apart from the past. Others have labored, and we have en- tered into their labors. The board of trustees is the oldest board in the congregation, being constituted when the property was deeded one hundred years ago. One hundred eight men have served upon this board up to the present time. In this list are found the names of some of the most prominent business men of Pittsburgh in their time. The members first elected in 1819 were Jacob Negley, David Eakin, Casper Negley, John Fluck, Wm. B. Foster and Samuel Peebles. The present board is James R. Mellon, H. W. Prentis, Jr., R. E. Logan, Charles H. West, Lewis W. Hicks and Thomas Evans. Two former members of this board remembered the church in their wills: Henry H. Negley and John F. Scott. This is a good example others might follow.
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I find no trace of a board of deacons until 1870, but what it lacks in age it has made up in efficiency and zeal. Their faithful visitations of the sick and needy have done much to make this church beloved in this community. The first dea- cons elected in 1870 were George G. Negley, Wm. L. Denison, John Gilchrist, Stuart McKee, Joseph Torrens and Thomas D. Patterson. Those now serving the church in this office are George B. Roessing, E. C. Merrill, W. J. Ward, Lacy S. Mc- Keever and Wm. M. Alrich.
And now we come to the elders. To be chosen to this office is the highest honor a local congregation can confer upon one of its members. The minister is ordained by the Presbytery, the ruling elders by the minister and his session. The elders have much to do in the making or unmaking of a church. They are the minister's cabinet; they receive new members into the church, and serve to the congregation the emblems of the broken body and shed blood of our Lord. Paul's exhor- tation to the elders at Ephesus should ever be kept in mind by those who hold this sacred office: "Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers." To this Peter adds for their encourage- ment, "When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." Forty-four men have served the church in this office.
The first session was elected September 30, 1828, and was composed of Robert Bailey, Sr., Francis G. Bailey and James Backhouse. They must have been godly men, for the early records show that they often met for prayer for themselves and for the flock. The names of the elders now acting are S. E. Gill, James I. Buchanan, M. D. Shields, Graham C. Wells, J. R. Paull, John Updegraff, Wm. H. Goehring, J. J. Math- ews, Frederic S. Kellogg, Harry E. Thompson, George S. Cun- ningham, J. McF. Carpenter, Charles A. Fisher and Wm. N. Robinson.
I feel that I owe much to the pastors who preceded me in this pulpit. They are all to me separate entities and personal friends, though I have never seen but two of them. Those whom I have never seen I have pictured in my mind from what I have learned from your lips. Dr. McIlvaine is to me a St.
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ROBERT BAILEY, SR. The First Elder 1828.
SERMONS AND ADDRESSES
John in character, unostentatious, gentle, tender and true. Dr. Gillespie, vivacious at times, sparkling and pre-eminently a man of action; he was the St. Peter of the group-the man who must be doing things. His mantle seems to have fallen upon his beloved wife, whom God has so graciously spared, and who is still one of the leaders in the work of the good women of today. Dr. Agnew, strong, stalwart, self-reliant; his great work for the church as Secretary of the Board of Ministerial Relief is his lasting monument.
Dr. Kumler I saw but thrice, but felt that I knew him well. He was a "Great Heart." His life was an open book. This is my motto for him, "With malice toward none, with charity for all." It was during his pastorate that East Liberty Church became a great city church. He now rests from his labors, but his works do follow him. It became my sad duty to preside at the service when he was laid away. As his body was borne up the aisle, this was the feeling of that waiting con- gregation, every one of which was a mourner: a prince of God has fallen. Soon he was followed by his beloved wife. Mrs. Kumler was a born leader, and she left her impress upon this church and community in the constructive work she ac- complished.
I had hoped to escape such reflections of sadness in this ser- mon, but it is impossible. Once a pastor touches this fountain, it gushes forth and cannot be stayed. It is impossible at a time like this to be unmindful of those with whom we have labored, and whose help and fellowship has been to us an inspiration.
Beloved, do you realize that three hundred twenty-two members of this church have gone to their heavenly home in the past seventeen years? There are left but four of the elders who signed the call you extended to me seventeen years ago, and but three remain in this church. The list reads as fol- lows: George A. Kelly, H. W. Fulton, C. H. Riggs, W. A. Edeburn, Jas. B. Lyon, Thomas C. Lazear, John M. Pardee, Thomas D. Davis, Wm. P. Potter, S. E. Gill, M. D. Shields, James Boyle, and J. I. Buchanan.
The following have served as assistants to the pastor: The Rev. Victor Bucher, J. R. Hainer, the Rev. George A. Frantz, the Rev. George M. Duff and the Rev. H. A. Gearhart. Two
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of the trustees who signed the call, Mr. Henry H. Negley and Mr. Daniel H. Wallace, have also been laid to rest. The fol- lowing deacons in this period have died: John Gilchrist, Jacob P. Young, S. A. Dickie and Wm. T. Lantz.
I wish I had time to refer to others who have performed well their part, for they are many. I am sure you will pardon me if I do pause to mention the following. Since 1865, more than half a century, the care of this property has been in the hands of one family. John Grounds, Sr., took up his duties July 5, 1865; and John Grounds, Jr., took up the task where his father laid it down. John was baptized by Dr. McIlvaine, and has served under every pastor this church has had. He is at the present the faithful helper of us all. Of one more I must speak, Mr. James Stephen Martin. For seventeen years be served as leader of the choir with faithfulness and great dis- tinction, and is now gone to his heavenly rest.
And now we are back from the visit to the village of pioneer days. We have in a way passed through the experiences of the intervening years, and realize ourselves once more living in a great metropolis, which has overgrown the village lying to the east. The town of seven thousand we saw nestling in the forest is now a center of commerce. One-half the population of the United States is within about a night's ride of the Pitts- burgh of today. But the most important thing about this city is not its mills and its commerce, but its morals and its religion. It was Carlyle who said a man's religion is the chief fact in his life. The same is true of a community and a nation. If you don't believe it, take a ride from Giant's Causeway to South Ireland. In the south the soil is warm and the air balmy. In the north, the land is scant and the bogs cold. But the north is prosperous and happy; the south is best known for its pov- erty and discontent.
Thank God for the men and women who laid the founda- tions of this church and for the faithful workers who have suc- ceeded them from generation to generation. We must strength- en what they began, and pass on the torch which they lighted and committed to our hands. The responsibility resting upon us is very great. The world is trembling under the blow of a great war. It needs the steadying hand of religion. Armies
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JOHN GROUNDS, JR.
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SERMONS AND ADDRESSES
can resist armies, but no mere external force, however great, can stay the tide of social unrest and of moral disorder which now threatens the world. These can only be checked by some inward working power which changes the hearts of men. This is the work of the Church and the mission of her Gospel. Men, you who love the habitation of God's house, this is the time to strengthen the Church. She has a great task before her. She cannot fail, but we may miss our opportunity.
"We are living, we are dwelling, In a grand and awful time; In an age, on ages telling To be living is sublime."
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Women's Work
WOMEN'S WORK BY MRS. WILLIAM M. MCKELVY
OMEN'S Work of the East Liberty Presbyterian Church began with the very inception of the church, even in the neighborhood prayer meetings held in those early days, when Grandmother Bar- bara Anna Negley herself was often the leader. Anything planted with prayer is very sure to grow, and we can follow the devotion of the women to the church all down through the days of spinning and the "quilting bees" to the present time. Mrs. Pears has admirably set this forth in her "History of Woman's Work" given at our Centennial Celebration. Each succeeding generation has added its chapter. What a glorious record it has been! Can you not picture those early sewings, held for the benefit of the poor in the country round about or the missionary afar off-meetings where the best pattern for underwear or aprons was decided upon, and where good sensi- ble clothes were fashioned, much of the work being done by hand ?
Sewing circles and missionary boxes came along hand in hand. So urgent was the need and so effective this special work, that it was with great difficulty the young women established their right to divide their time and money and work for Foreign Missions as well as for Home Missions. It is interesting to note that even in the years gone by, the young people felt the need of educating their elders, and their man- ner of doing so only proves the truth of the saying, "There is nothing new under the sun." It was at this time a tract en- titled "Not for the Heathen Merely," fell into the hands of one of the young ladies. So exactly did it set forth her ideas that she telegraphed for enough copies to place one in each pew the following Sabbath morning. We are assured that such a high-handed method of education created quite a sensa- tion. How many times since has this fearless young woman's example been copied !
1
For all information along financial lines I refer you to the
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financial tables in this volume. You will find that the women have always accompanied their gifts of time and labor with the gift of gold.
Woman's work became a separate organization about 1870, since which time all work has been conducted along the meth- ods of the Church at large, methods approved of by the General Assembly, and handed down to the churches through the Synod and Presbytery alike.
From a single woman's society the work has expanded until now every age has been provided for. It long ago became evident that the continuation of missionary work in the future would depend upon the children of today, while the conviction that such work was in accord with Christ's plan to redeem a lost world, was so strong that the women soon turned their attention to organizing the children's department. Mrs. Daniel Wallace was our pioneer in this line. In 1874 she organized the "Buds of Promise." This oldest band in our church, made up of the little children, has continued ever since. Not a winter slips by without gathering the little folk together to teach them "Missions" and all that missions stand for. Al- ready its members are grown into ministers and missionaries, both home and foreign, and noble men and women from the Atlantic to the Pacific can look back to the "Buds of Promise" as the first place where the desire to work for and with Christ was planted in their hearts. "Men may come and men may go," but let us hope that the "Buds of Promise" will go on forever. Mrs. J. H. McKelvy has been the leader of these little people for fully twenty years, while Mrs. Charles Curry has been her efficient assistant.
Realizing that Buds will bloom, and that more efficient work can be accomplished with children if they are advanced from grade to grade, our little Buds became "Gospel Bells," "Little Helpers," "Missionary Stars," and "Little Jewels." At a later date the "Cradle Roll" and "Little Light Bearers" were organized. These bands never held regular meetings, but anyone who ever attended "Cradle Roll Afternoon" at the church could never forget those "Baby Parties," where the wee tots were admired and given animal crackers and milk, while those able to toddle about were amused by Mrs. R. W. Patter-
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son and her helpers. These were given lady fingers and gela- tine. They were the fountainhead from which the "Buds" grew.
Being inspired and encouraged by Mrs. Kumler, the pas- tor's wife, who believed that the truth taught in the class on Sabbath morning should find a way to become practical during the week, and also that children should early be taught the church was theirs to work for as well as love and cherish, the missionary women who had Sabbath school classes formed their classes into missionary circles and bands. Many lasted for a time, and are no more, but who can measure the good they accomplished ? Among them we find "The Obey Band," "The Golden Rule," "The Co-Workers," "In His Name Band," "The Cheerful Givers," and the "King's Daughters." Where are they today? Look about you. They are men and women, possibly you yourself are one. The "Mizpah Band" dates back to 1881. But there closely follows the "Nellie Cuthbert Band," Miss Castner's "Class Circle," "The Happer Band," and the "Pansy Band." The efforts put forth by the members of these circles in supplying the church members with neatly hemmed wash cloths, dusters and home-made candy were only a forerunner of the larger efforts they are now putting forth in their grown-up world. The "Earnest Workers," under the leadership of Miss Lizzie Liggett, aspired to more ornate work, and they supplied missionaries, and even their pastor's wife, with beautiful silk quilts, patched by their own hands, while they set the whole congregation to work gathering and tying up canceled stamps, one hundred in a package. Their aim was one million, a figure rarely mentioned in the year 1886.
The ingenuity of the various bands was displayed in the variety of ways in which they secured the coveted sum. "The Signet Circle," of lasting memory, brought out a "Church spoon." The church was engraved in the bowl, while the bust of the pastor, Dr. Kumler, in bas-relief adorned the handle, together with the names of all former pastors. That spoon brought in fine returns.
Mrs. S. E. Gill, of sainted memory, was sponsor for the "Henry Band." Some of our best church workers today were members of this band. Space forbids me to go into details of
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these organizations, but the lives of their membership being lived today make us realize that "as the twig is bent, the tree is inclined."
You must not think that the women organized only girls' work. The boys and girls together were "Little Light Bear- ers," "Stars," "Jewels," "Bells," and "Buds," but what boy grown to the mature age of ten or twelve would continue a member of a girls' circle? The women would not ask it. So the boys were given blue uniforms with real brass buttons on them, and guns that were not real, and formed them into "Missionary Cadets" and "Missionary Brigades." They drilled and marched and helped to make our missionary entertainments exciting affairs with real warlike exhibitions. Mrs. John M. Pardee was the leader of a splendid boys' work. They were the "King's Messengers." Mrs. S. S. Gilson, as well as Miss Jane Rea and Miss Buchanan, had fine groups of larger boys who graduated into true manhood.
There are today in the church working along missionary lines the Woman's Foreign and the Woman's Home Mission- ary Societies, "The Monday Evening Society," a strong or- ganization enabling all who cannot attend the afternoon meet- ings to enjoy this same Christian service. The "Fidelis" auxil- iary has been a potent force in our midst since 1888. Mrs. H. C. Ayers has been its efficient leader. Mrs. Joseph R. Paull, herself a "Signet Circle" graduate, has charge of our "Cheerful Givers" and we are watching with interest their rapid growth into Christian womanhood and missionary leadership.
Our "Junior Westminster Guild" is the outgrowth of the "J. R. McKelvy" band, and is under the direction of Miss Eleanor Ayers. They will again graduate into the West- minster Guild, Katherine McCune Chapter, for the members of this chapter are fast becoming the women of the church.
Besides these we have adult Bible classes doing splendid missionary work in connection with our Sabbath school, and the Buds of Promise before mentioned.
As missionary work is the most important work of the church, I have given it the first place, but the women have taken a leading part in all other branches. When our new church was being built, the women decided to raise funds to
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furnish the building. A "Woman's Exchange" was organized and splendid results obtained through its efficient management. Much in the church today is the result of that organization.
Many years ago Fridays were set apart as church days. The Friday afternoon meeting is such an established fact that the church bell is rung for it, the same as for church services. Two afternoons of the month the church itself and its own needs are the subject, but the first Friday is always a Home Missionary meeting and the third Friday a Foreign Missionary meeting. As we look back over these Fridays no one stands out more clearly in our memory than those devoted to "All Day Sewings," days when our pet dishes were brought for luncheon and revealed such wonderful culinary ability in our midst that the combined luncheon was indeed fit for a queen. Work accomplished on these days made many Home Mission- ary homes more comfortable, Home Missionary schools better equipped, and our own city hospitals rejoice over generous dona- tions of materials and handwork, while the ingathering, every fall, of jellies, jams and preserves bespoke well for our own thrift and generosity.
On November 13th, 1909, it was deemed expedient to organize a special department for this work. A meeting was held at the residence of Mrs. Albert L. Schultz, and "The Ladies' Aid Society" came into being. Mrs. Alexander King was elected honorary president, Mrs. W. N. Frew, president ; Mrs. S. C. Curry, Mrs. W. S. Flower, Mrs. C. S. Long and Miss Sallie M. Negley, vice-presidents. Miss Annye Wilson (Mrs. W. F. Schleiter), treasurer, and Miss Virginia Schultz, secretary.
Our church membership has been districted by the Women's League, with captains over each district; through these cap- tains the entire membership can be reached without delay. During a series of revival meetings in 1917, noon meetings were held each day at the church and luncheon was provided by the various districts under the management of the captain. They also arrange for district prayer meetings.
Women's work in the church embraces Auxiliaries in the
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"McCall Mission," the Waldensian work, while we are also affiliated with the "Sabbath Day Alliance" and the Temperance work.
In time past whenever there have been revival services, the women have held separate morning prayer meetings continuing throughout the series, no matter how long they lasted.
Mrs. Pears has told you of our War Work in 1861. The patriotism of the women of that day has never been relaxed. During the Spanish-American War in 1898 our church was at once thrown open, sewing machines brought in, and the East Liberty Church women answered every call that was sent out. We thought they were strenuous days, but who that looks back upon them remembers aught but the social enjoyments, the cheery episodes and the joy of the feeling that a duty was well done.
What can be said of the Great War!" Everyone who reads this has had a part in that. Realizing that the call to the colors was national, and that the "Red Cross" would be the national organization to render aid and relief both at home and abroad, our church flung its doors wide open to this organization. Located in the center of the East Liberty district and having ample facilities to carry on the work, it came to be the head- quarters in East Liberty for Red Cross work.
An invitation was sent to the churches throughout the dis- trict to meet at the church March 27, 1917. Representatives from ten churches responded. A nominating committee sub- mitted the following ticket, which was duly elected: Honor- ary president, Mr. James I. Buchanan; president, Mrs. Wm. N. Frew ; vice-presidents, Mrs. W. B. Brenneman, Mrs. A. P. Burchfield, Mrs. John H. Leete, Mrs. James Stephen Martin, Mrs. R. B. Mellon, Mrs. A. L. Kidner, Mrs. W. M. Mc- Kelvy ; secretary, Miss Vera Hamilton; treasurer, Miss Jean Mckinney. From the moment of organization our church was always open to the workers, and not one week slipped by with- out our sending to headquarters a full quota of supplies. The cordial way in which the members of other denominations came into our midst and worked will always be a pleasure to remember. We claim no credit which does not equally belong to our friends in the Emory Methodist Episcopal Church,
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Bethany Lutheran, the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, High- land Avenue Presbyterian Church, St. Marks Church, Shady Avenue Presbyterian Church and St. Andrews Episcopal Church.
When the work was ended the final count was 115,163 surgical supplies, 6,781 knitted garments, 25,404 hospital sup- plies and 1,012 Christmas packages. The large results in sur- gical supplies were rendered possible by the use of The Run- nette Board, designed and patented by Mrs. J. H. Runnette, a member of our own church and of the East Liberty Branch of the Red Cross.
The women of the East Liberty Church took a prominent part in every drive and campaign for funds, and were to be found at work in every department of the war organization. Our women were out upon the far-flung battle front, they were to be found in prominent positions as well as ignominous positions behind the scenes here at home, all alike being impelled to do their uttermost for love of Christ and country, who has blessed us above many in the privilege of opportunity.
Throughout the war a special prayer service was held each Thursday morning under the direction of Miss H. J. McCay. We met in our ladies' parlor, a place we have learned to love as the place to pour out our hearts in prayer and praise, in thanksgiving and adoration.
Let the coming generations think carefully before neglecting the "Women's Work" in this East Liberty Presbyterian Church. The century past has bequeathed to us a legacy weighted with necessity and opportunity. We accept it loyally, with humility and with the prayer that God will be able to seal our efforts with his own approbation.
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